Phyllis Johnson of Harriman, accompanied by the Roane County News, took a trip to Amish country in Holmes County, Ohio, while visiting with her sister.

The Roane County travelers accompanied Johnson’s sister Jean, nieces Linda, Jane and Vicki, great-niece Chloe and friends Lori, M.J. and Lydia to several shops, and they saw a number of horse-drawn carriages and had lunch prepared by Amish cooks.

We were glad that Roane County’s Tea Party was not formally listed among other Tea Party groups who declared their intentions this summer to oust U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee from office in next year’s Republican primary.

In these divided, divisive times, Alexander — a Republican — has shown leadership and courage by attempting to reaching across party lines and actually serve the people. Apparently, that’s where many Tea Partyers draw the line.

Elected officials will be allowed to grant employee bonuses if a resolution calling for such passes the Roane County Commission next week.
“I hope it passes, because the county employees deserve it,” Circuit Court Clerk Kim Nelson said. “All of my deputy clerks work hard, and I would like to see them rewarded.”
The commission meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the courthouse in Kingston.
The budget committee voted 4-0 on Aug. 28 to recommend the employee-bonus resolution to the full commission.

Electric customers can expect an increase in their rates this fall.
TVA announced a 1.5 percent retail rate increase, which a news release said is the first in two years.
Both Harriman Utility Board and Rockwood Electric Utility Board are passing those rate increases on to residential customers.
“I think the first of October you’ll see increased electric rates,” said Rockwood Councilwoman Peggy Evans recently.